Pad for artificial teeth

ABSTRACT

A pad for artificial teeth which is disposed between a dental plate (either upper or lower) and the gum of the user to hold the plate in proper secure position without discomfort. Two pads can be used when a complete set of artificial teeth is required. The pad is a thin soft flexible cushion of material which does not irritate mucous tissues and has a plurality of spaced indentations or recesses in each of the two opposite major surfaces. The recesses in one surface are out of alignment with the recesses in the other surface and act as suction cups.

United States Patent Reifke PAD FOR ARTIFICIAL TEETH PrimaryExaminer-Robert Peshock 57 ABSTRACT A pad for artificial teeth which isdisposed between a dental plate (either upper or lower) and the gum ofthe user to hold the plate in proper secure position without discomfort.Two pads can be used when a complete set of artificial teeth isrequired. The pad is a thin soft flexible cushion of material which doesnot irritate mucous tissues and has a plurality of spaced indentationsor recesses in each of the two opposite major surfaces. The recesses inone surface are out of alignment with the recesses in the other surfaceand act as suction cups.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 3 ms FIG. 2.

FIG. 3

was

1 PAD FOR ARTIFICIAL TEETH SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention isdirected toward pads for artificial teeth which when the teeth areinserted in the mouth for use are disposed between the dental plate andthe gum to hold the plate in proper secure position without discomfort.These pads can be used with either upper or lower plates or both.

In accordance with the invention, each pad is a thin soft flexiblecushion formed of a material which does not irritate the mucous tissue.Each of the two opposite major surfaces of the pad, which are in contactwith gum and plate respectively, is provided with suction producingmeans. This means takes the form of spaced indentations or recesseswhich, when the plate is pressed into position against the gum, producea suction action.

The pad thus eliminates the otherwise direct contact between the hardsurface of the plate and the delicate gum tissue. The soft cushioningaction preserves healthy tissue. The natural adherent qualities of thepartial vacuum formed by the pressure of insertion, i.e. thecompression, are substantially in excess of any other type of pad knownto the inventor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERREDEMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a first pad is disposed betweenan upper gum 12 of the mouth and an upper plate 14 and a second pad 10is disposed between a lower gum 16 of the mouth and a lower plate 18.

Each pad forms a thin soft cushion which is flexible and non irritatingto the gums. For example. the cushion can be formed of pure gum rubber,suitable plastics or other materials.

Each major surface of each pad is provided with a plurality of closelyspaced .recesses or indentations. The recesses 20 in one surface are outof alignment with the recesses 22 in the other surface. The pad must beas thin as possible yet must provide sufficient suction. To this end thedepth of the recesses can approach one half the thickness of the pad andunless the non alignment of recesses is maintained, the thickness of thepad cannot be minimized.

While the invention has been described with detailed reference to thedrawings, the protection sought is to be limited only by the terms ofthe claims which follow.

I claim:

l. A pad for artificial dentures which is formed from a material whichdoes not irritate mucous tissues and which defines a thin soft flexiblecushion having first and second opposite major surfaces for detachablybut securably engaging a dental plate of a user to an adjacent gum toenable the user to wear the plate in proper manner without discomfort,the first surface having a plurality of small spaced recesses which actas suction cups and secure the first surface to the adjacent gum byforces of suction alone, the second surface having another plurality ofsmall spaced recesses which act as suction cups and secure the secondsurface to the adjacent plate by forces of suction alone, the open endsof all recesses being flush with the main surfaces containing same.

2. The pad of claim 1 wherein the recesses in one surface are out ofalignment with corresponding recesses in the opposite surface.

3. The pad of claim 2 wherein the depth of each recess approaches halfthe thickness of the cushion.

1. A pad for artificial dentures which is formed from a material whichdoes not irritate mucous tissues and which defines a thin soft flexiblecushion having first and second opposite major surfaces for detachablybut securably engaging a dental plate of a user to an adjacent gum toenable the user to wear the plate in proper manner without discomfort,the first surface having a Plurality of small spaced recesses which actas suction cups and secure the first surface to the adjacent gum byforces of suction alone, the second surface having another plurality ofsmall spaced recesses which act as suction cups and secure the secondsurface to the adjacent plate by forces of suction alone, the open endsof all recesses being flush with the main surfaces containing same.
 1. Apad for artificial dentures which is formed from a material which doesnot irritate mucous tissues and which defines a thin soft flexiblecushion having first and second opposite major surfaces for detachablybut securably engaging a dental plate of a user to an adjacent gum toenable the user to wear the plate in proper manner without discomfort,the first surface having a Plurality of small spaced recesses which actas suction cups and secure the first surface to the adjacent gum byforces of suction alone, the second surface having another plurality ofsmall spaced recesses which act as suction cups and secure the secondsurface to the adjacent plate by forces of suction alone, the open endsof all recesses being flush with the main surfaces containing same. 2.The pad of claim 1 wherein the recesses in one surface are out ofalignment with corresponding recesses in the opposite surface.